I found this quote on a legal advice site: "In general, one spouse is not obligated to pay the medical bills of the other spouse. Unfortunately, there are several exceptions to this rule. If you live in a community property state, you would typically bear responsibility for such a debt. The general rule in such a case is, a medical bill or other debt that is incurred during the marriage, versus debt that is incurred before the marriage, is considered a joint debt. This holds true even if the debt is listed exclusively in one spouse’s name. If you signed a document stating that you would be responsible for payments on a debt or medical bill, you are liable for payments. For example, if your spouse has been admitted to the hospital, and you signed or acted as a co-signer on any documents that would obligate you for payment of any bills incurred during your spouse’s hospital stay, as a signer, you are responsible for payments. As a co-signer, you are responsible for payments if your spouse fails to pay the bills. This is true no matter what state that you live in." (end quote) As I found the above on a legal advice site, and have no proof it is true, I would suggest that you check in your own State first to find out if you are in a community property State. Also would ask if you signed any admission papers, etc. which assumed the debt. I would also, were I you, check with a lawyer. It is always worth the expensive hour to get questions this important answered by someone who is qualified to answer it. I am not. I hope there are others here who can more adequately address this issue; to tell you the truth I was very surprised to find out that you aren't responsible to pay his medical bills. The question of a lien on the house I would guess would depend upon how the house is titled. Do seek good legal advice on this.
I actually just "Googled" that question, and it said that if the medical debt was incurred(by husband) while you were married, that you(his wife) are liable for the debt. I figured as much as my husband was in and out of the hospital many times over the 26 years we were married, and I always paid the remaining balances with our money. Sometimes it took a while, but they always got paid. Now as far as a lien being put on your home, well I didn't Google that, so can't speak to that.
"In general, one spouse is not obligated to pay the medical bills of the other spouse. Unfortunately, there are several exceptions to this rule.
If you live in a community property state, you would typically bear responsibility for such a debt. The general rule in such a case is, a medical bill or other debt that is incurred during the marriage, versus debt that is incurred before the marriage, is considered a joint debt. This holds true even if the debt is listed exclusively in one spouse’s name.
If you signed a document stating that you would be responsible for payments on a debt or medical bill, you are liable for payments. For example, if your spouse has been admitted to the hospital, and you signed or acted as a co-signer on any documents that would obligate you for payment of any bills incurred during your spouse’s hospital stay, as a signer, you are responsible for payments. As a co-signer, you are responsible for payments if your spouse fails to pay the bills. This is true no matter what state that you live in." (end quote)
As I found the above on a legal advice site, and have no proof it is true, I would suggest that you check in your own State first to find out if you are in a community property State. Also would ask if you signed any admission papers, etc. which assumed the debt. I would also, were I you, check with a lawyer. It is always worth the expensive hour to get questions this important answered by someone who is qualified to answer it. I am not.
I hope there are others here who can more adequately address this issue; to tell you the truth I was very surprised to find out that you aren't responsible to pay his medical bills.
The question of a lien on the house I would guess would depend upon how the house is titled.
Do seek good legal advice on this.